STATES OF CONTROL: COVID, CUTS AND IMPUNITY - SOUTH ASIA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2019-20
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
STATES OF CONTROL: COVID, CUTS AND IMPUNITY SOUTH ASIA PRESS FREEDOM REPORT – 2019-20
2 I FJ P R E S S F R E E D O M R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0
JOURNALISTS DETAINED IN SOUTH ASIA
(MAY 1, 2019 – APRIL 30, 2020)
T
he IFJ documented cases of 50 journalists detained or jailed in 450ml of liquor and 100g of hemp for illegally carrying US dollars and
South Asia from May 2019 to April 2020. by a mobile court after a midnight dealing in currency exchange. He was
In Afghanistan, ten journalists were arrested or detained for raid. The court sentenced him to detained after he allegedly received US
short periods for crimes such as criticism of government or one year in prison and a fine of BDT currency for a provided IT service to a
alleged links to the Taliban but most were released within hours 50,000 (USD 560). client who was a relative of a member
after the intervention of media advocacy groups, unions and the Status: Currently in jail. of parliament for the ruling Awami
joint committee on government and media. In the period, 29 League. He was charged with digital/
electronic fraud and for publishing
journalists were detained for 24 hours or less, highlighting issues of INDIA or sending of offensive, false or fear
threat and intimidation to silence journalist reporting in the region. Name: Aasif Sultan inducing or defamatory information.
India again was the region’s leader in detention and incarceration Gender: Male Status: Released on bail on July 3,
of journalists for longer periods, with ten journalists detained or Detained: August 27, 2018 (Sultan 2019
jailed in the year, compared to eight the previous year, including was held in police lock-up from
the ongoing incarceration of Asif Sultan from 2018. Concerningly, August 27 until being formally
a large number of journalists continued to be charged for sharing arrested on August 31) INDIA
content on social media platforms, with an overwhelming majority Job: Assistant editor, Kashmir Name: Anuj Shukla (M) & Ishita
of cases relating to politicians or political media coverage. Narrator Singh (F)
Four journalists currently remain behind bars in the region; two in Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Detained: June 8, 2019
Bangladesh, one in India and one in Pakistan. The case of Pakistan’s Kashmir, India Job: Journalists, Nation Live News
Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman remained in news headlines in March and Accusation: Sultan was charged under Location: Uttar Pradesh, India
April 2020. The editor-in-chief of the Jang and Geo Media Group was the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Accusation: Shukla and Singh were
arrested on March 12 on a case dating back 34 years. Act, an anti-terror law which has arrested for sharing a video on Twitter
come under sharp criticism for which was deemed to defame the
Bangladesh still sits on a critical watch list for the IFJ with six
curtailing freedom of expression. The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi
journalists detained or in continuing incarceration in the period.
journalist was charged for publishing Adityanath. The video contained
Detainment and arrests increased drastically in Nepal, from four
a feature story in July 2018 on the claims made by a woman against the
the year prior to 24 in the current period. This was largely a result of
second anniversary of the death of the minister.
police propensity to round up and detain journalists at protests. young Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani, Status: Released on bail on June 19,
Of the 50 detained, at least 10 journalists were released on bail. a killing that sparked months of strife while Shukla was released on bail on
Nasrullah Chaudhry, who was arrested in Karachi on allegations of on the streets. July 21.
carrying journals and booklets about Afghan Jihad and the Punjabi Status: Currently in jail.
Taliban on December 11, 2019, was acquitted by the Sindh High Name: Qazi Shibli
Court on April 9, 2020. Gender: Male
PAKISTAN Detained: July 25, 2019
Name: Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman Job: News editor, The Kashmiriyat
Gender: Male Location: Kashmir, India
TOTAL JAILED JAILED JOURNALISTS - Detained: March 12, 2020 Accusation: Shibli was arrested after
Job: Editor in chief, Jang & Geo
OR DETAINED: CURRENTLY IN JAIL Media Group
tweeting an official order regarding
the deployment of paramilitary
Currently in jail: 4 BANGLADESH Location: Karachi, Pakistan troops across the Kashmir region
Detained for more Name: Abul Asad Accusation: Rehman was arrested that allegedly leaked crucial details
than one week: 13 Gender: Male following an investigation by the about imminent troop movements in
Detained for less than Detained: December 13, 2019 National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Jammu and Kashmir. He was charged
one week: 4 Job: Editor, Daily Sangram into allegations that a property he under the Public Safety Act.
Accusation: Asad was arrested for purchased 34 years prior had been
Detained for one day Status: Released on April 23, 2020.
describing an executed opposition bought illegally. Jang & Geo Media
or less: 30
leader convicted for war crimes Group is one of the largest media
Women jailed: 1 Name: Santosh Jaiswal
as a “martyr” in a Bengali- groups in Pakistan and is famous for Gender: Male
TOTAL: 51 language newspaper published on its critical investigations of Pakistani Detained: September 6, 2019
December 12. The article referred politicians. Job: Journalist, Jansandesh Times
to Abdul Quader Molla, who was Status: In solitary confinement in Location: Uttar Pradesh, India
hanged over crimes committed a NAB facility. Yet to be formally Accusation: Arrested for taking
during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of charged.
TOTAL JAILED OR independence. When the article was
photos and videos of children
mopping floors at a local primary
DETAINED BY COUNTRY published, Hatirjheel Police Station JOURNALISTS JAILED FOR school in Uttar Pradesh on September
filed a case against Asad under the
IN SOUTH ASIA Digital Security Act. MORE THAN ONE WEEK
6 and sending them to police to
bring to notice the illegal practice.
Afghanistan: 10
Bangladesh: 3
Status: Currently in jail. BANGLADESH Jaiswal was arrested over accusations
Name: Mohammad Abdul Kaium, of “extortion and obstructing public
Bhutan: 0 Name: Ariful Islam
Gender: Male servants from doing their duty”.
Nepal: 24 Gender: Male Status: Released on bail on
Detained: May 12, 2019
India: 10 Detained Date: March 13, 2020 November 20, 2019.
Job: Editor, Mymensinghlive
Job: Journalist, Bangla Tribune
Maldives: 0 Location: Mymensingh District,
Location: Kurigram, Bangladesh Name: Zubair Ahmed
Pakistan: 3 Bangladesh
Accusation: Islam was charged and Gender: Male
Sri Lanka: 1 Accusation: Kaium, a journalist
convicted with alleged possession of Detained: April 27, 2020
and IT professional, was arrested
3
IN THE PERIOD, 29 JOURNALISTS
WERE DETAINED FOR 24 HOURS
OR LESS, HIGHLIGHTING ISSUES
OF THREAT AND INTIMIDATION
TO SILENCE JOURNALISTS
REPORTING IN THE REGION.
Job: Freelance journalist Detained: August 23, 2019 journals and booklets about Afghan • Rahul Kulkarni (M), 14-
Location: Andaman, India Job: Editor, janasanchar.com Jihad and the Punjabi Taliban. 16/04/20, Osmanabad, India:
Accusation: Freelance journalist Location: Pokhara, Nepal The items were said to include Arrested over a report on the
Zubair Ahmed is arrested and taken Accusation: Charged with sedition materials that help sow disharmony recommencement of trains in
to Aberdeen police station for his for allegedly supporting the banned on sectarian grounds and motivate Bandra after it allegedly prompted
tweet asking why a family has been Communist Party of Nepal led by people to take part in jihad. The mass gathering of migrants during
put under quarantine for a phone Netra Bikram Chand. charge-sheet alleged Chaudhry had the Covid-19 lockdown. Released
call with Covid-19 quarantine Status: Released on September 10, links with al-Qaeda leader Khalid on bail.
patients. Police charged Zubair 2019. Mukshi.
under the Disaster Management Act Status: Acquitted by the Sindh High
for obstruction, disobedience and the Name: Jitendra Maharjan Court on April 9, 2020. JOURNALISTS DETAINED 24
publishing of information that may Gender: Male
Detained: April 9, 2019
HOURS OR LESS
cause alarm to the public.
Status: Released on bail on April Job: Editor, Nhugu Jwojoloppa SRI LANKA • Nine (9) journalists detained
Name: Mohammed Rizvi Maharoof together at a protest in
28, 2020 Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Gender: Male Dhanusha, Nepal – 12/06/19 -
Accusation: Police arrested and
Detained Date: May 27, 2019 RN Biswas (M), Shyam Sundar
charged Maharjan under crimes
NEPAL connected to state and organised Job: Journalist Yadav (M), Baidhanath Yadav (M),
Nabin Kumar Gupta (M), Bhusan
Name: Khem Thapaliya crime. He was alleged to have close Location: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Gender: Male Accusation: Maharoof was Kumar Singh (M), Bindu Yadav
relations with the Netra Bikram
Detained: August 10, 2019 arrested on suspicion regarding the (M), Dharmapal Raut (M), Gopal
Chand-led Communist Party of
Job: Editor-in-chief, Jaljala possession of 326 CDs alleged to Gupta (M),Parish Karna (M).
Nepal, which was branded a
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal criminal outfit by the government in contain sermons and other publicity • Asadullah Samim, Paktika,
Accusation: Police arrested March 2020. material of the National Thowheed Afghanistan, 23/07/19 (M)
Thapaliya for alleged involvement Status: Released on bail on April Jamath, which was accused of • Sajan Saud, Pokhara, Nepal –
in the outlawed Chand-led Nepal 30, 2019 carrying out the Easter Sunday 02/08/19 (M)
Communist Party after the party attacks in April 2019. • Nine (9) journalists detained
was declared a criminal outfit by Status: Released on bail after one
the government and all its activities
PAKISTAN week.
together at a protest in
Name: Azhar-ul Haq Wahid Kathmandu Nepal – 16/09/19
banned in March 2019. – Ram Prasad Dahal (M), Ajaya
Gender: Male
Status: Released on August 26,
2019.
Detained: January 16, 2020 JOURNALISTS DETAINED FOR Babu Shiwakoti (M), Janmadev
Job: Reporter, Channel Five TV & Jaisi (M), Yam Prasad Sharma
Khabrain
LESS THAN ONE WEEK (M), Min Bam (M), Dilip Paudel
Names: Rabi Lamichhane & • Gawhar Safi (M), 08-10/4/20, (M), Chakra Kuwar (M), Yogendra
Location: Karachi, Pakistan
Yubaraj Kandel Kunar Province, Afghanistan: Balayar (M), Prakash Bahadur
Accusation: Wahid was detained for
Gender: Male Arrested for criticizing the Kunar Bam (M).
criticising the Pakistani government
Detained: August 15, 2019 governor’s office about its use of
for comments on Facebook, that • Six (6) journalists from Taleem-
Job: Journalists, News24 the of the ‘anti-corona’ budget.
were alleged to be ‘anti-state’ and Ul-Islam radio arrested for
Location: Chitwan, Nepal Released after intervention from
defamatory, including comments alleged links to the Taliban in
Accusation: Lamichhane and media advocacy groups.
against former military general Farah, Afghanistan, 25/09/19
Kandel were arrested for their Pervez Musharraf. He was also • Prashant Kanojia (M), 08-
- Noorul Haq Mazhari (M),
alleged connection to the suspicious accused of sharing an offensive 11/06/19, Uttar Pradesh, India:
Bismellah Amini (M), Habibullah
death of journalist Shalikram version of Pakistan’s national Arrested for sharing a video
Amini (M), Abdul Qahar Hanif
Pudasaini, who was found hanging anthem on social media. deemed as ‘defaming’ the chief
(M), Abdullah Taeb (M),
in a hotel of Chitwan on August 5. Status: Released on bail on March minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi
Mohammadullah Imran (M).
The journalist had accused them 26, 2020. Adityanath, on Twitter. Released
on bail. • Abdul Rahim Sekandari, Khost,
and others for the suicide in a
Afghanistan, 02/10/19 (M)
video that was said to be taken by Name: Nasrullah Chaudhry • Ghulam Jeelani Qadri (M),
Pudasaini before killing himself. 24-25/06/19, Kashmir, India: • Habib Kamran, Khost,
Gender: Male
Status: Released on bail on August Detained: December 11, 2019 Arrested for alleged involvement Afghanistan, 02/10/19 (M)
26, 2019. Job: Journalist, Nai Baat in terrorist and disruptive activities • Kamran Yousuf, Kashmir, India –
Location: Karachi, Pakistan 27 earlier linked with his news 16/02/2020 (M)
Name: Om Bahadur Hamal Accusation: Chaudhry was arrested agency JAK News. Released on • Gawhar Safi, Kunar Province,
Gender: Male on the allegations of carrying bail. Afghanistan, 08/04/20 (M)
4 I FJ P R E S S F R E E D O M R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0
MEDIA RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN SOUTH ASIA BY JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY INDICATORS (JSI)
MAY 1, 2019 – APRIL 30, 2020
IFJ-SAMSN violations monitoring is undertaken by the IFJ Asia-Pacific, together with IFJ affiliates in South Asia. IFJ mapping provides
specific categorisation of violations of journalists’ rights across the region by UNESCO Journalists’ Safety Indicators (JSIs). These
indicators are further categorised by IFJ classifications.
SOUTH ASIA VIOLATIONS BY
JOURNALIST SAFETY INDICATORS (JSIS)
1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF
JOURNALISTS – 19
2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS –
80
3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON
JOURNALISTS – 65
4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 16
5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA
INSTITUTIONS – 35
6. ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS –
4
TOTAL: 219 VIOLATIONS RECORDED
** IFJ INDICATORS:
A. ARRESTS/JAILING: 52
B. ATTACKS/THREATS AGAINST Mina Mangal, parliamentary adviser and former journalist is shot dead on May 11 in Kabul on
FREELANCERS: 2 her way to work. Mangal received death threats for months before her murder. CREDIT: AIJA
C. ATTACKS/THREATS ON RURAL,
REGIONAL OR MINORITY
JOURNALISTS: 81 May 19, 2019: Takhar (C) January 18, 2020: Kabul
D. DEFAMATION CASES/THREATS: 4 Irfan Bazgar and Shafiqullah Poya journalists Najib Payman, the editor-in-chief of radio and
E. DISAPPEARANCES: 2 of Salam Watandar radio and Khorshid TV are television channel Music Afghanistan, receives
F. GENDER-BASED ATTACKS: 8 threatened by the provincial commander of Takhar threats over the telephone.
G. LEGAL CASES: 3 for sharing news without coordination with the
H. LEGISLATION/GOVERNMENT commander.
CONTROLS: 8 July 6, 2019: Uruzgan (C)
OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS
I. ONLINE ATTACKS/INTERNET Fazal Ahmad Basharmal and Sardar Wali May 15, 2019: Semangan (C)
SHUTDOWNS: 9 Samsoor, radio reporters with Paiwastoon Ghag, Abdul Rahman Saeed, a journalist with
Notes: Internet shutdowns for the purpose of are threatened by the Taliban. Shahrwand radio in Samangan province, is
monitoring are recorded as an attack on the media. insulted by the assistant governor.
Intimidation and harassment are considered as July 7, 2019: Ghazni (C)
threats to journalists. The shutdowns recorded here Ramizullah, manager of Samaa radio, is June 18, 2019: Kabul
indicate those where IFJ has issued statements. threatened by the Taliban. Photographer and comedians Naweed Nayel,
A more detailed listing of shutdowns is recorded Qudratullah and Qais, of Maiwand and Khorshid
on the IFJ Shutdown Listing. Arrests and jailing November 5, 2019: Baghlan (C)
TV, are beaten by the locals of Mir Bacha Kot
are listed under threats to journalists but further Adiburahman Fazli, a publisher at a local
detailed under the IFJ indicators above. district of Kabul after they were accused of
television station in the Baghlan province is
insulting and humiliating a number of elders in a
threatened by unknown armed men.
program.
December 2, 2019: Logar (C)
AFGHANISTAN Matiullah Sarwar, manager of Paiwand Milli radio,
is threatened by Shahpor Hasanzai, a member of
July 4, 2019: Nangarhar (C)
Mikael Farooqi, a reporter for the Farhat news
1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF agency, is assaulted and threatened by police
parliament from Logar.
JOURNALISTS – 11 soldiers while trying to film. While trying to film
2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS – 19 December 7, 2019: Uruzgan (C) a protest at the Pakistan embassy, a police solder
3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS – Sharifullah Sharafat, reporter with Azadi radio, grab the journalist and deletes his images and
25 is threatened by local scholars for publishing a footage. He is also prevented from interviewing
4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 6 report about an unregistered madrassa in Uruzgan visa clients.
5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA province.
July 11, 2019: Takha (C)
INSTITUTIONS – 5 December 15, 2019: Nangarhar (C)
Journalists are prevented from entering a prison
TOTAL: 66 VIOLATIONS RECORDED Hamid Ahmadi, a reporter with Enekaas Radio
in Takhar province during a prison strike. Prison
** IFJ INDICATORS: Television, is threatened by the Taliban. Local
authorities say this is to prevent injuries.
A. ARRESTS/JAILING: 5 officials provided temporary security.
C ATTACKS/THREATS ON RURAL, REGIONAL July 23, 2019: Herat (C)
January 18, 2020: Badghis (C)
OR MINORITY JOURNALISTS: 48 A publisher for Baran radio, Asadullah Samim, is
Sayed Abdul Rahim, editor-in-chief of Haniza
F. GENDER-BASED ATTACKS: 5 Radio, is threatened by unidentified men. A arrested by the National Directorate of Security
protection plan is put in place. (NDS).
THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF January 27, 2020: Farah (C) July 23, 2019: Balkh (C) (F)
Mohammad Ibrahim, a reporter for Uroj TV; Rahima Yazdani, a reporter for the Afghan Women
JOURNALISTS Ahmad Shah Fikrat, editor-in-chief of Dunya Awareness Association (AWAA), is insulted by
May 9, 2019: Puli Khumri (C) Radio; and Hamidullah Hamidi, editor-in-chief the head of Salam Telecommunications and a
Ismail Sadat, from Sima radio, is threatened by of Neshad Radio receive death threats over the company guard. She directs her complaint to the
armed men. telephone. crime management office.
5
August 4, 2019: Kabul January 7, 2020: Herat (C)
Reporter Omid Nabizada and videographer Nawid NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON Sunam Nikzad, the host of local TV entertainment
Muhammadi, of 8AM News Press, are insulted by program, is injured and police open an inquiry into
the president’s protection service on the first day
JOURNALISTS the case. Sonam Nikzad, was stabbed by two
of election campaigning in Loya Jarga. May 13, 2019: Faaryab (C) motorcyclists when he left the university at 8 am
Muhammad Ayub Amini, a photographer at Ayena and tried to cross the public road. The perpetrators
August 20, 2019: Zabul (C) TV, is beaten by members of National Directorate fled. The case was pursued by the police.
Abdul Qayom Ajez, a reporter in Zabul, is insulted of Security (NDS) forces.
and humiliated by the director of women’s affairs. January 18, 2020: Paktia (C)
May 25, 2019: Jalalabad (C) A group of journalists from Shamshad TV, headed
August 31, 2019: Kabul Imran lemar, a journalist of Mazal local radio by Delsouz Safi, are abducted by anti-government
Members of the media are insulted by Roohullah station, is injured by unknown assailants and is militants. Local police and intelligence agency
Ahmadzai, a spokesperson of the ministry of admitted to hospital intensive care with serious officers intervene to rescue the journalists.
defence. injuries.
January 18, 2020: Herat (C) (F)
September 14, 2019: Kandahar (C) June 2, 2019: Kabul Female journalists lodge a complaint about lack of
Faiz Muhammad and Qudratullah Rezwan,of Journalists Jawed Kargar and Muhammad Faseh security and gender discrimination in a letter to the
Warangi local radio, are insulted by unknown Motawakkel of Peshgo news agency and Killid Afghanistan Federation of Journalists. An inquiry
people. radio station, are wounded while reporting on an is instigated.
attack for which ISIS claimed responsibility. The January 27, 2020: Kabul
September 3, 2019: Samangan (C)
perpetrators were killed in an operation by security Fazal Haq Haydari, a program officer at Maaref TV,
Journalists are verbally abused by guards of the
forces. is threatened over the phone.
vice governor office, who is also head of the
Afghanistan Journalists’ Protection Committee. July 4, 2019: Nangarhar (A) (C) February 12, 2020: Kabul
Michael Farooqi, a reporter of Farhat news agency, Zabihullah Jahanmal and Bahis Mujadadi,
September 25, 2019: Farah (A) (C)
is beaten and insulted by the police. Farooqi is reporters for Tolo TV, are insulted and their
Six employees of Taleem-Ul-Salam radio station
arrested but the case is dismissed. recorded videos are forcibly deleted by a guard
are arrested by National Directorate of Security
(NDS) forces on charges of alleged links to the August 28, 2019: Uruzgan (C) commander from Afghanistan’s finance ministry.
Taliban. Twelve computers, nine telephones and Reporter Muhammad Nasim Watandost is beaten March 8, 2020: Kunduz (C)
three recorders are searched. They are released by a soldier for the national army in Uruzgan. Noor Rahim Atif, editor-in-chief of Kaihan Radio in
after 12 hours with no charges laid or evidence Kunduz province, is kidnapped nearly 10 km from
August 30, 2019: Kabul
found. the city by the Taliban.
Farid Toghri, of Uzbek News at Noor TV, is beaten
September 28, 2019: Parwan (C) in Kabul. The attackers are arrested. March 12, 2020: Kunduz (C)
Maqbool Noori, a reporter from Salam Watandar Noor Rahim Ateef, editor-in-chief of Kayhan Radio,
September 27-29, 2019: National –
radio, is insulted and humiliated by the brother of is abducted by the Taliban and later released.
Afghanistan (C)
the head of the provincial assembly.
At least three journalists are attacked during the March 5, 2020: Parwan (C)
September 29, 2019: Helmand (C) fourth round of Afghanistan’s presidential elections A group of journalists for various media outlets are
Journalists Abdul Aziz Safdari (Sheen Hawa held on September 28. Rahmatullah Nikzad, a forced to leave the office of Shah Wali Shahed,
news agency), Sefatullah Zahidi (Salam Times), reporter for Al Jazeera TV, is injured when a bullet a deputy for Parwan governor. Shayeq Qasimi.
Abdullah Hamim (Tolo News), Rafiullah Pashton hit him in his leg in Ghazni province on September A freelance journalist is directly insulted by the
(Zhwandon TV), and Abdul Wali Tawhidi (Melma 27, a day before the election. Abdul Rahman Parwan governor.
local radio) are insulted by the chief of police of Hamad, of Kawoon Ghag Radio, is wounded in an
March 5, 2020: Ghor (C)
Helmand Province. attack on September 28 in Baghlan province. On
Reporters in the province are insulted by members
September 29, journalist Maqbol Noori, of Salam
October 2, 2019: Khost (A) (C) of the health department of the province.
Watanda is threatened verbally attacked and his
Abdul Rahim Sekandari, a reporter for Salam phone confiscated. March 6, 2020: Uruzgan (C)
Watandar, and Habib Kamran, a reporter for Sharifllah Sharaft, a reporter for Radio Azadi,
Sahar news, are arrested by National Directorate November 7, 2019: Kabul receives a death threat from local mullahs.
of Security (NDS) forces on charges of weakening Jamshed Yama Amin, the manager of Keshwar
the system and insulting the president. news agency, is beaten by a police officer while March 6, 2020: Kabul
preparing a report on an election rally. Kabul News TV’s reporter Mansour Nikmal
November 7, 2019: Takhar (C) and cameraperson Najim Sultani are wounded
Najeebullah Nazari, manager of Maahe Naw TV, November 30, 2019: Lashkar Gah, Helmand (C) when members of the Islamic State attack a
is insulted during an address by the governor. A roadside bomb seriously injures Sardar commemorative event in Kabul when the ceiling at
Mohammad Sarwari, a reporter with Shamshad the program venue collapses after IS gunman open
December 6, 2019: Balkh (C) TV, who is travelling in a military convoy from fire in the hall. At least 32 people were killed and
Yaqoob Azorda, a reporter from Tamadon TV, is Lashkargah to Marjah. Sarwari sustains severe another 58 civilians wounded in the attack.
insulted by the director of Balkh University. injuries to his head and leg from a Taliban attack
on the convoy. Sardar is one of three civilians March 8, 2020: Zabul (C)
March 12, 2020: Kabul Mohammad Esa Qalamyar, reporter for National
injured in the attack. Two security officials are also
Zahra Rahimi, a reporter for Tolo News, is TV, is abducted by the Taliban. He is released the
killed.
insulted by local police in the second police following night.
district. December 11, 2019: Faryab (C)
Qutbudin Kohi, a reporter from the Pajhwak news
March 12, 2020: Samangar (C)
agency, is kidnapped by the Taliban near Faryab- KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS
Local radio reporters Shamsudin Merzai, Slahudin
Andkhoy highway. May 11, 2019: Kabul (F)
Bawar and Mahboob Al Rahmani Sahi, are
insulted by local government officials. Mina Mangal, parliamentary adviser and former
January 1, 2020: Takhar (C) (F)
journalist is shot dead on May 11 in Kabul
Musamat Arezo, a reporter for Berlik Radio, is
April 8, 2020: Kunar (A) (C) on her way to work. Mangal, who served as
allegedly raped by Mohammad Ehsan. Authorities
Gawhar Safi, the editor-in-chief of Zula Radio, is television presenter for more than 10 years,
are investigating the case.
arrested by National Directorate of Security (NDS) was working as an adviser to the Cultural
forces under the orders of the Kunar governor for January 1, 2020: Nangarhar (C) Commission of Wolesi Jirga when the incident
criticizing his performance on the use of the anti- A police officer beats and insults five journalists in happened. She had received death threats in the
Corona budget. Nangarhar province. months preceding her murder.
6 I FJ P R E S S F R E E D O M R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0
June 9, 2019: Zabul (C) statement against the media portal khabarial.
Sakhi Baloch, a technical assistant of the National com, signed by the spokesperson Zabihullah NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON
Radio Television in Zabul province, is abducted by Jujahed. After the Taliban’s statement, 80 per
unknown people on his way home. He is found cent of khabarial.com staff quit their jobs because
JOURNALISTS
dead the next day in Qalat city of the ongoing punitive Taliban threats. May 12, 2019: Mymensingh (A)
Mohammad Abdul Kaium, the editor of news
July 1, 2019: Kabul (F) portal Mymensinghlive is arrested and allegedly
Abdul Rauf Eymal Zay, a security guard of tortured in custody. He is released on bail on
Shamshad TV, is shot dead while another seven
Samshad TV workers are injured in a car bomb
BANGLADESH July 3.
1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF
explosion. The guard was shot dead as he walked August 3, 2019: Dhaka (E)
JOURNALISTS – 0
onto the street where Afghan security forces and Mushfiqur Rahman, a senior reporter of Mohona
2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS – 6
foreign troops were deployed. Five men and two TV is allegedly abducted after boarding a Mirpur-
3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS – 7
women media workers from Shamshad TV were bound bus from Gulshan. The abductors were
injured in car bomb attack which is reported to 4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 1
said to spray a liquid substance on his face and
have been targeting defence and government 5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA
beat him severely. He had earlier received threats
offices in the area. The Taliban claimed INSTITUTIONS – 5
for his news coverage.
responsibility for the blast. 6. ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS – 1
TOTAL: 20 VIOLATIONS RECORDED December 18, 2019: Jamalpur
July 12, 2019: Gardiz (C) ** IFJ INDICATORS: Shelu Akondo, a correspondent for Bangla Bazar
Editor-in-chief for Radio Gardez Ghar, Nader Shah A. ARRESTS/JAILING: 5 Patrika and Polly Kontho Protidin, is severely
Sahebzadeh, disappears after leaving his home C. ATTACKS/THREATS ON RURAL, REGIONAL beaten and his legs broken by a local leader of the
in Gardiz city to visit a friend. His body is found OR MINORITY JOURNALISTS: 5 Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of
the next day. The case was investigated and the E. DISAPPEARANCES: 2 ruling party. He is attacked with metal bars while
person accused of the murder is prosecuted. F. LEGAL CASES: 1 on his regular evening walk near the Brahmaputra
September 24, 2019: Kandahar (C) G. LEGISLATION/GOVERNMENT CONTROLS: 2 river.
Abdul Hamid Hotaki, a political talk show H. ONLINE ATTACKS/INTERNET
February 1, 2020: Dhaka
host at the Hewad independent public media SHUTDOWNS: 3
At least nine cases of attacks on journalists and
group, is critically injured in an explosion near obstruction to reporting are documented during
the campaign office of President Ashraf Ghani,
in the southern city of Kandahar. He dies from OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS the Dhaka North and South city elections.
Media workers across Dhaka from Agami News,
his injuries the next day. Afghanistan’s Interior May 26, 2019: Jamalpur (C)
Bangla Daily, The Daily Star, Banglavision TV,
Ministry blamed Taliban militants for the attack. Mustafa Monju, Kaler Kantho’s Jamalpur
Press Bangla Agency, Bangladesh Partidin,
Hotaki was on his way to pick up medicine from correspondent is attacked and seriously injured
Business Standard, Poribortan.com, Jugantor
a clinic when he was caught in the bombing. in an attack by a group of people while was
Daily, Daily Nayadiganta and Daily Inqilab are
The explosion also killed three other people, investigating the use of forged documents for
assaulted at polling booths. Some journalists are
including a child. Seven others were wounded land registration at the Sadar sub-registrar
denied entry into polling stations. Dipon Dewan,
in the blast. office. The attack is allegedly led by the ward
of Banglavision Television, is barred from entering
councillor of Jamalpur 2 and stamp vendor
January 1, 2020: Lashkar Gah, Helmand (C) polling booths at Uttara High School.
Safar Mohammed Atal, a technical worker at Hasanuzzaman Khan Runu.
Samoun Radio, goes missing. His body is found March 10, 2020: Dhaka (E)
December 13, 2019: Dhaka (A) (H)
the next day in Safiyan area of Lashkar Gah. The Shafiqul Islam Kajol, a photographer and editor
Police in Dhaka arrest Abul Asad, editor of of Pakkhakal Shafiqul, goes missing after
motive of the murder remains unknown. Daily Sangram, after the newspaper referred being accused by the ruling Awami League of
to Abdul Quader Molla hanged over crimes disseminating false information. A day before his
THREATS AGAINST MEDIA committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of
independence, as a “martyr”. A case is filed
disappearance, Kajol is accused of publishing
false information under the Digital Security Act,
INSTITUTIONS under the Digital Security Act. along with 31 others including Matiur Rahman
July 7, 2019: National – Afghanistan January 5, 2020: Khulna Chowdhury, the editor-in-chief of the Bangla
The Taliban threatens media outlets Tolo TV, Staffers of a Chinese company working on water daily Manab Zamin.
Aryana TV, Khama agency press, Khorshid TV, supply and sewerage (WASA) project harass
Negaah TV, Farda TV, Zhwandon TV, Killid Radio March 13, 2020: Kurigram (A) (C)
Ekattor TV’s Khulna Bureau Chief Rakib Uddin Ariful Islam, Kurigram-based journalist at Bangla
and Shamshad TV after the broadcast of footage Pannu for reporting on the project. His camera
that could lead to the targeting or arrest of its Tribune, is arrested for alleged possession of
equipment is also damaged. 450ml of liquor and 100g of marijuana and
members.
February 11. 2020: Dhaka sentenced within a few hours by a “mobile
July 15, 2019: Ghazni (C) Reporter Fakhrul Islam and cameraman court”. He is taken to the Kurigram deputy
Samaa radio is suspended due to security threats commissioner’s office and reportedly tortured.
Sheikh Jalal of News24 are attacked when
by the Taliban in Ghazni province. After the crime He is convicted and sentenced by the mobile
covering a raid by the Customs Intelligence and
management department intervenes, the radio court to one year in prison and fined BTD
Investigation Directorate (CIID) at Noyabazar
recommences operation. 50,000 (USD 560). His family and members
area. The attackers snatch their camera and
backpack. of the media accuse police of convicting him in
April 8, 2020: Daikundi (C)
retaliation to an article on the misuse of power
Mirza Hassani Subhani Allah, a member of the
March 12, 2020 : Dhaka (A) by Kurigram deputy commissioner Sultana
provincial council, threatens to close down Aftab
A case against television journalist Mahbub Pervin.
Radio and Radio Rasana following a news report
Alam Lavlu is filed by Shiqur Rahman, a
on the mismanagement of the budget for fighting April 23, 2020: Narsingdi (C)
resident of Hosni Dalan Road, on the allegation
Covid-19. Sajal Bhuiyan, Narsingdi district correspondent
of spreading false and defamatory news through
his YouTube channel. He is arrested under the for SA Television is beaten by men wielding
January 18, 2020: Baghlan Province (C)
Digital Security Act. batons while collection information at the office
Arman Shahr Radio faces security threats. The
of Amirganj Union Parishad chairman Nasir
local police develop a plan to protect the radio
April 13, 2020: Bogra (A) (C) Uddin Khan’s. Sajal was investigating the
station.
Shahjahan Ali Babu and Mazed Rahman, chairman in connection to the alleged
February 9, 2020: Kabul district correspondents for Ekattor Television and embezzlement of relief rice marked for public
After a series of threats directed at Afghanistan’s Somoy Television are harassed and detained by distribution to assist Bangladeshi households
independent media, the Taliban issues a a police officer. during the Covid-19 lockdown.
7
Journalist leaders join a protest rally in front of
the National Press Club in Dhaka about ongoing
violations against the journalists community in
Bangladesh. CREDIT: BMSF.
local correspondents, Shawon Amin and Rahim
KILLING OF JOURNALISTS Shuvo are also sued by Mominul for sharing the OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS
May 22, 2019: Jamalpur story on Facebook. May 2, 2019: Leh (D)
The body of Ishan Ibn Reza Fagun, the sub-editor Two BJP leaders attempt to bribe journalists for
of the online news portal Priyo.com is found near favourable poll coverage and then threaten them
the railway track in Jamalpur. It is reported that ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS with a defamation suit for “fake propaganda’. The
unknown persons beat the journalist to death and December 13, 2019: Dhaka incident is recorded on social media.
dumped his body. The motive for the killing is Members of Muktijoddho Mancho (Freedom
unknown. Fighters Platform) and Bangladesh Chhatra June 8, 2019: Uttar Pradesh (A) (B) (D)
League burn copies Daily Sangram and vandalise Three journalists - freelance journalist Prashant
its Dhaka office for a report referring to Abdul Kanojia and Nation Live journalists Anuj Shukla
THREATS AGAINST MEDIA Quader Molla, who was hanged over crimes and Ishita Singh - are arrested for sharing a
video deemed as ‘defaming’ Chief Minister Yogi
INSTITUTIONS committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of
Adityanath.
independence, as a “martyr”.
May 19, 2019: Dhaka (H) (I)
Access to Poriborton.com is blocked by June 24, 2019: Jammu & Kashmir (A)
Ghulam Jeelani Qadri, editor of Daily Afaaq,
Bangladesh authorities. The website had earlier
received a threat from an incumbent minister to BHUTAN is arrested in late night raid over a 27-year-old
remove a news story or face a shutdown. terrorism case. He is later released on bail by the
1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gowhar Majeed, when
December 28, 2019: Bangladesh / Sweden (I) JOURNALISTS – 0
police are unable to provide any clear details and
Access to the Sweden-based investigative 2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS – 0
specific justification for his arrest.
journalism website Netra News is blocked for 72 3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS – 0
hours after publishing a report alleging corruption 4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 0 July 25, 2019: Jammu & Kashmir (A)
by Obaidul Quader, an influential party leader and 5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA Qazi Shibli, news editor of The Kashmiriyat, is
a minister in the Awami League government. The INSTITUTIONS – 0 arrested after tweeting an official order regarding
report alleged the minister had “received a luxury 6. ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS – 0 the deployment of paramilitary troops that
brand watch in exchange for awarding a lucrative TOTAL: 0 VIOLATIONS RECORDED allegedly leaked crucial details about imminent
contract”. troop movements in Jammu and Kashmir. He is
charged under the Public Safety Act.
March 9, 2020: Dhaka (G)
Saifuzzaman Shikhor, ruling party lawmaker for
INDIA August 14, 2019: Jammu &Kashmir
1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF
Magura 1, files a case against Matiur Rahman Irfan Malik, of Greater Kashmir, is picked from his
JOURNALISTS – 0
Chowdhury, editor-in-chief of Manab Zamin daily, residence from Tral in south Kashmir at midnight.
2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS – 19
its staff reporter Al Amin and 30 others under the He is released after spending one night in custody.
3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS – 8
Digital Security Act on charge of publishing and No reason is given for his arrest.
4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 4
sharing of false news.
5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA September 6, 2019: Uttar Pradesh (A) (C)
April 2, 2020: Dhaka (I)
INSTITUTIONS – 6 Journalist Santosh Jaiswal working with
The Bangladesh government blocks domestic
TOTAL: 37 VIOLATIONS RECORDED Jansandesh Times is arrested for taking photos
connections to BenarNews.org, an online
** IFJ INDICATORS: and videos of children mopping floors at a local
affiliate of Radio Free Asia, for alleged spread of
A. ARRESTS/JAILING: 14 primary school in Azamgarh district.
misinformation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
B. ATTACKS/THREATS AGAINST
April 18, 2020: Thakurgaon (C) FREELANCERS: 1 September 8, 2019: Uttar Pradesh
Mominul Islam Bhashani, president of Baliadangi C. ATTACKS/THREATS ON RURAL, REGIONAL A complaint against STV Haryana journalist
upazila Swechchha Sebak League, an associate OR MINORITY JOURNALISTS: 3 Anoop Khundu is registered by the State Food
body of the Awami League political party, files a D. DEFAMATION CASES/THREATS: 4 Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department
case against Toufique Imrose Khalidi, the editor- G. LEGAL CASES: 1 official. The complaint states a report aired in July
in-chief of bdnews24.com; and Mohiuddin Sarker, H. LEGISLATION/GOVERNMENT CONTROLS: 2 featured an alleged fake video of the warehouse
acting editor of agonews24.com, for publishing I. ONLINE ATTACKS/INTERNET aimed at “spoiling the image of the department
news defaming him and the Awami League. Two SHUTDOWNS: 6 and the official.”8 I FJ P R E S S F R E E D O M R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0
September 20, 2019: Jharkhand April 18, 2020: Jammu & Kashmir March 3, 2020: Tamil Nadu
Evidence is revealed of the Jharkhand government Police in Srinagar charge photojournalist Masrat M Karthi, a reporter with Kumudam, sustains
efforts to influence media reportage by inviting Zahra under the Unlawful Activities Prevention serious head injuries following an attack in
journalists to write about its welfare schemes and Act (UAPA) Zahra for social media posts allegedly Sivakasi. Karthi loses eight teeth after being set
offering them money in return. The Jharkhand promoting “anti-national posts with criminal upon by two men brandishing iron rods. He had
Working Journalists Union, says the BJP intention to induce the youth and promote earlier received harassing calls from a minister and
Government of Raghuvar Das issued advertisement offences against tranquillity”. She is summoned to others regarding a story. Two men are arrested in
in various online and print newspapers by inviting the police station for questioning. connection with the assault.
articles on its public welfare schemes, wherein 30
journalists were selected to be paid Rs 15,000 April 19, 2020: Jammu & Kashmir April 23, 2020: Arunachal Pradesh (I)
(USD 197) each. A First Information Reports (FIR) is filed against Tongam Rina, associate editor of The Arunachal
special correspondent for The Hindu Peerzada Times, files a FIR with the crime branch after
November 1, 2019: Delhi (I) Ashiq over a report. He is summoned for continued online trolling for an article on the
Revelations emerge that several journalists, questioning within six hours in police stations alleged rise in cases of wildlife hunting in the state
activists, lawyers and senior government officials located in two different districts. during the Covid-19 lockdown
have been targeted by Israeli spyware in a hacking
spree in May 2019. Those targeted were subject April 21, 2020: Jammu & Kashmir April 23, 2020: Mumbai
to surveillance for a two-week period until May, Journalist and author Gowhar Geelani is booked Senior journalist Arnab Goswami and his wife are
when the general election was held. under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act attacked by two thugs as they returned home from
by the Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone for the Mumbai office of Republic TV. The attackers
December 19, 2019: Uttar Pradesh (A) allegedly “indulging in unlawful activities” through threw objects at the car and were later caught by
Journalist Omar Rashid, of The Hindu, is taken to social media that was “prejudicial to the national his security. The day before, the Congress party
Hazratgani police station with activist Robin Verma integrity, sovereignty and security of India”. and its supporters launched an extensive social
and accused and threatened as being part of a Geelani moved the Jammu and Kashmir High media campaign demanding his arrest over his
group of arsonists who vandalised police property Court to quash the FIR against him. comments criticising party president Sonia Gandhi.
and engaged in violence during a protest against
the Citizenship Amendment Act. He and Verma are April 27, 2020: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A) April 24, 2020: Tamil Nadu (A)
released without charge. Freelance journalist Zubair Ahmed is arrested Andrew Sam Raja Pandian, founder and chief
and taken to Aberdeen police station for his executive of Simplicity news portal, is arrested on
February 8, 2020: Jammu & Kashmir tweet asking why a family has been put under grounds of violating the Epidemic Diseases Act
Police summon media workers, Naseer Ahmad quarantine for a phone call with Covid-19 and two sections of the Indian Penal Code. Police
Ganie, from Outlook Magazine, and Haroon Nabi, quarantine patients. Police charged Zubair under allege corruption in food distribution during the
from the news agency CNS, for questioning for Covid-19 pandemic and attempting “to bring a
the Disaster Management Act for obstruction,
allegedly publishing a statement from the banned bad name to the state government” and creating
disobedience and the publishing of information
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and unrest among government officials.
that may cause alarm to the public.
sharing a post on WhatsApp.
February 16, 2020: Jammu & Kashmir (A) (D)
Kamran Yousuf, a multimedia journalist with NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS
June 19, 2019: Madhya Pradesh (G)
Newsclick, is detained by Pulwama police JOURNALISTS Chakresh Jain, journalist with a Hindi daily,
and interrogated for several hours. Yousuf is
May 6, 2019: West Bengal (C) dies after sustaining burns under mysterious
taken by police van to the office of the Deputy
Journalists from NewsX, ABP Ananda and Zee circumstances in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district.
Superintendent of Police where he is accused of
News are attacked, allegedly by Trinamool His family accuses agricultural officer Aman
running a Twitter account under the name Kamran
Congress (TMC) workers, during voting in the Chowdhary and his supporters of setting him
Manzoor to post a video of Syed Ali Geelani, a
fifth phase of India’s national elections in seven ablaze. Jain and Chowdhary had been involved in
pro-Pakistan freedom leader in Kashmir. It is later
established to be a case of mistaken identity. constituencies in West Bengal. Journalists a legal dispute and the case was in its final stages
are physically assaulted and media vehicles of hearing when the incident took place.
March 23, 2020: Delhi and Hyderabad (H) vandalised.
Police assault at least four journalists as India October 14, 2019: Andhra Pradesh
begins a nationwide lockdown in efforts to contain September 1, 2019: West Bengal (C) Journalist K Satyanarayana is stabbed and killed
the Covid-19. In New Delhi, police stop Naveen Police assault several journalists covering violent by unidentified assailants, just a month after he
Kumar, a reporter with Hindi news channel Aaj clashes between supporters of Bharatiya Janata was attacked in a separate incident. The 45-year-
Tak. In Hyderabad, three police officers attack Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress old worked as a reporter for Andhra Jyothi. He had
Ravi Reddy, the Hyderabad bureau chief for The (TMC) in West Bengal. The deputy commissioner previously filed a report to police concerning an
Hindu, when he asks police to allow him through of police in Barrackpore, Ajay Thakur, is caught attack in September. Six persons were arrested.
a barricade on his way home from work. Police in on camera as he hits a journalist. Several other
journalists also say they were assaulted during the February 18, 2020: Coimbatore
Hyderabad also beat and insult Mendu Srinivas,
incident. B Chandrasekar, 36, who worked as a reporter
political bureau chief of Andhra Jyothy, and hit
for Captain TV, is killed in a car accident with
Mohammed Hussain, a reporter for news site February 25, 2020: Delhi university student, R Kishore, 19. Both died after
Siasat, for alleged lockdown violations while they Akash Napa, a journalist with JK 24×7 is shot the car rammed into a road barrier.
were returning from work. and at least four other journalists injured during
communal unrest in Delhi over the country’s April 21, 2020: Karnataka
April 2, 2020: Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Hanumanthu, 21, of Kannada news channel
Police in Uttar Pradesh file a First Information
Journalists came under attack while covering Public TV, is killed in a road accident in
Report (FIR) against The Wire editor, Siddharth
the communal violence in northeast Delhi over Ramanagara district on his way back to Bangalore
Varadarajan, for alleged ‘defamatory’ comments
several days from February 23. Attacks are from Ramanagara jail after covering a story related
against the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Yogi
made on journalists Arvind Gunasekar, Saurabh to Covid-19.
Adityanath. The police notice requests he appear
at the Ayodhya police station, 700 km from his Shukla, Mariyam Alavi and Sushil Rathi. There
home in Delhi despite a nationwide Covid-19 are also reports of mob members checking the THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS
lockdown. religious identities of journalists covering the
protests. July 18, 2019: Delhi (H)
April 14, 2020: Osmanabad (A) Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman imposes
Journalist Rahul Kulkarni is arrested over a report March 4, 2020: Jammu & Kashmir restrictions on journalists from accessing the
on the recommencement of trains in Bandra after Police bar two journalists from reporting on an ministry’s office. Journalists are also barred
it allegedly prompted mass gatherings of migrants operation in Hakripora village in Pulwama district from entering the offices in an attempt to control
during the Covid-19 lockdown. and confiscate their equipment. reporting.9
Cartoonists in Nepal protest the country’s
Media Council Bill. CREDIT: FNJ
July 23, 2019: Delhi (H)
The Government of India introduces two
controversial labour codes, namely Code on Wages
MA LDIVES NEPAL
and the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and 1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF 1. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF
Working Conditions (OSH). The codes repeal JOURNALISTS – 0 JOURNALISTS – 3
the Working Journalists and other Newspaper 2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS – 0 2. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS – 21
Employees (Conditions of Service) and the 3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS – 0 3. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS – 12
Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1955, and the 4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 0 4. KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS – 0
Working Journalist (Fixation of rates of wages) Act, 5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA 5. THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS –
1958 along with 11 other labour laws. The code INSTITUTIONS – 3 3
on wages is passed by both houses of parliament TOTAL: 3 VIOLATIONS RECORDED 6. ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS – 3
with the president’s assent to become the Code TOTAL: 41 VIOLATIONS RECORDED
on Wages Act, 2019. The Code on Occupational ** IFJ INDICATORS:
Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) is THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS A. ARRESTS/JAILING: 20
sent to the Standing Committee on Labour and is July 11, 2019: Male C. ATTACKS/THREATS ON RURAL, REGIONAL
submitted its recommendations to both Houses of Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN) OR MINORITY JOURNALISTS: 8
Parliament in February 2020. representatives are denied entry as observers at F. GENDER-BASED ATTACKS: 1
the eighth hearing of Yameen Rasheed’s murder
August 16. 2019: Meghalaya
case. The MDN was urging the Criminal Court of
Meghalaya police pressures news portal Northeast
Maldives to uphold its obligation to conduct a fair
THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF
Now to remove a news item and disclose its sources.
The item dealt with a BJP membership drive.
and transparent hearing in line with the Maldivian JOURNALISTS
Constitution and the International Covenant on September 11, 2019: Kathmandu
October 1, 2019: Tripura (H) Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Journalist Prahlad Rijal, editor of Arthik Dainik,
The registration of the Daily Desher Katha is receives a death threat from Royal Casino operator
November 5, 2019: Male
cancelled by the Registrar of Newspapers India Bed Prasad Kapri after it published news about
The Maldivian Ministry of Youth, Sports and
(RNI) within hours of issuing fresh registration due conflicts associated with the casino.
Community Empowerment – which regulates
to a “change of management”.
the activities of NGOs – announced the decision April 5, 2020: Khotang
October 16, 2019: Andhra Pradesh (D) (H) to shut down the operations of the Maldives Nepali Congress (NC) Khotang district president,
The Andhra Pradesh government submits a Democracy Network. The decision was linked to Naresh Kumar Shrestha, issues a death threat
proposal to allow department secretaries to sue a 2015 report on radicalisation in the Maldives. to Uttam Chaulagain over a news report on
media organisations for alleged “fake news”. The closure came against the backdrop of threats prabhavnews.com about Shrestha’s obstruction of
The cabinet of Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra to the MDN’s staff, including its director, Shahinda a quarantine facility in Durchhim Village.
Pradesh aims to empower secretaries of various Ismail, from religious hardliners.
departments to file defamation cases against print, April 15, 2020: Kathmandu
January 2020: Male Dilip Poudel, a reporter for Nagarik, is threatened
electronic, digital and social media.
Maldives Independent’ formerly Minivan News via Facebook and mobile for a story on violence by
March 6, 2020: Delhi (H) suspends operations. The online platform was an a houseowner to a female tenant for her frequent
Malayalam-language news channels Asianet influential voice promoting democracy and human hospital visits amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
News and Media One are banned for 48-hours for rights in the country since 2004. In its wake,
alleged “bias” while covering the Delhi protests Minivan Radio, once anchored from Colombo by
amidst the climbing death toll. The ministry claims exiled journalists, also closed operations ostensibly OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS
the coverage has potential to “incite violence and because the premises had to be vacated. Local April 29, 2019: Kathmandu (A)
pose danger to maintenance of law and order”. associates said that political pressure had been Jitendra Maharjan, editor of Nhugu Jwojoloppa,
The ban is lifted within six hours. exerted to shut the station down. is arrested and charged under crimes connected10 I FJ P R E S S F R E E D O M R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0
to state and organised crime. He is alleged to surveillance after publishing his exclusive report journalists can be fined for publishing content
have close relations with Netra Bikram Chand- on the alleged rape of a female employee of found to be tarnishing the dignity or reputation of
led Communist Party of Nepal. Nepal’s Federal Parliament by speaker, Krishna any individual.
Bahadur Mahara.
May 22, 2019: Sunsari (C)
Mayor of Itahari in Sunsari district, Dwarika October 20, 2019: Achham (C) (I) NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON
Lal Chaudhary, verbally abuses journalists after Kantipur Daily journalist Menaka Dhungana is
being questioned on his involvement in the subjected to online harassment on social media JOURNALISTS
physical assault of a district employee. sites after publishing a story on the tender May 5, 2019: Kailali (C)
process for the construction of two schools. Janak Bista, from Dinesh FM 98.3 in
June 4, 2019: Sunsari (C)
Dhangadhi, far-western Nepal, is physically
Mayor of Itahari in Sunsari district, Dwarika Lal November 2, 2019: Kathmandu (I)
and verbally assaulted by local businessman
Chaudhary, threatens journalist Birat Anupam Shiva Lamsal, news chief at YoHo Television,
Tejendra Thapa while covering a story on school
after being question on why the mayor posted is threatened after broadcasting a story on a
rental space. Bista received treatment at the
derogatory statements about a journalist on his scandal regarding a patient who died at Blue
local hospital for his injuries.
Facebook page. Cross Hospital in Kathmandu. Lamsal is
threatened on social media by the hospital’s June 20, 2019: Bhaktapur (C)
June 12, 2019: Dhanusha (A) administrative representative, Rajat Shrestha. Editor of Salleri News, Dinesh Basnet, is
Police arrested nine journalists padlocked to
attacked by a group of locals in Lokhanthali,
the District Post Office, Dhanusha, who were November 27, 2019: Chitwan
Bhaktapur. Basnet sustained serious injuries
demanding the refund of funds by Dhanusha Cadres of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP)
to the head and other parts of his body and
after it deducted 40 per cent to 100 per cent abuse journalists, Raju Sapkota, Mahendra
was admitted to Annapurna Neuro Hospital,
of the distribution of funds in public service Shrestha and Krishna Sunuwar, and delete
Kathmandu.
advertisement. Journalists arrested were R N footage recorded while covering the by-election
Biswas (Kantipur TV), Shyam Sundar Yadav in Bharatpur. July 3, 2019: Surkhet (C)
(Nepal TV), Baidhyanath Yadav (Avenues TV), Officials and employees of Surkhet Valley
Nabin Kumar Gupta (ABC TV), Bhusan Kumar December 4, 2019: Saptari
Drinking Water Consumers’ Organisation are
Singh (Radio CPM) and Bindu Yadav (Local Police raid the house of journalist Abadesh
physically and verbally attack journalists Buddhi
Purwa Prabhat Daily), Dharmapal Raut (Rajbiraj Kumar Jha from the Kantipur Daily in Tilathi
Singh Thakuri and Nawaraj Rolkaya and
Today), Gopal Gupta (Biruwa weekly) and Paris Koiladi village, Saptari.
cameraperson, Bhim Pariyar, of Deuti HD TV, as
Karna (Green Madhesh daily). Later, they were December 4, 2019: Siraha they reported on a water dispute.
released after an hour of detention. A customs office official in Jatahi threatens
July 6, 2019: Sindhuli (C)
July 26, 2019. Tanahu journalists Santosh Baraili Shuvender Das,
Journalists Hom Kumar Karki and Min Kumar
Deputy mayor of the Sukhla Gandaki confiscates their cameras and verbally abuses
Dahal are beaten by constable Salam Singh
Municipality in Tanahu verbally abuses them after they filmed the officer taking bribes.
Lama for not deleting a video.
journalists Samundra Poudel and Damber February 26, 2020: Kathmandu
Adhikari, editors of Khabarpati Saptayik, August 2, 2019: Kathmandu
Journalist Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti is threatened
for a news report on her involvement in the Journalist Prakash Chandra Dahal is attacked
for exposing various corruption cases involving
construction of a playground. by an unknown group in Bagbazar, Kathmandu.
cabinet ministers. Shiwakoti, the editor of
Dahal, who is an editor of the online portal
August 10, 2019: Kathmandu (A) hamrakura.com, is threatened by unknown
sancharkhabar.com, is attacked by a group of
Police arrest poet and journalist Khem Thapaliya men following a story about Rs 700 million in
four people wearing helmets.
for his alleged involvement in the outlawed commission sought by the sitting minister for
Chand-led Nepal Communist Party. communication and information technology, September 27, 2019: Banke
Gokul Banskota, for the procurement of printing. Journalist Liyakat Ali is attacked by an
August 23, 2019: Kaski (A) unidentified group of people on his way home.
Journalist and anti-corruption activist Om Hamal March 26, 2020: Itahari
The unidentified assailants physically assaulted
is arrested in the Kaski district. Journalist Hamal, Journalist Rajan Katwal, of Arena Television,
and seized his mobile phone before fleeing.
the editor of janasanchar.com, is arrested by is verbally abused by Dwarik Lal Chaudhari,
security personnel for his alleged association the mayor of Itahari sub-metropolitan city, December 7, 2019: Kaski
with the Biplab-led Maoist group. Hamal is also after inquiring about the city’s preparedness to News 24 journalist Prasad Adhikari is physically
known for his anti-corruption investigative reports mitigate the impact of Covid-19. and verbally assaulted by plain clothes police
in the Kaski district. officers under orders from the Kaski District
22 April, 2020: Kathmandu
Police Chief Dan Bahadur Karki after Adhikari
August 15, 2019: Chitwan (A) Nepal Republic Media, Avenues Television,
reported on police collusion in a gambling
Police arrest two journalists, Rabi Lamichhane Rajdhani daily and Annapurna Media Group fail
operation in Pokhara.
and Yuvaraj Kandel, in connection with the to pay outstanding journalist salaries dating back
suspicious death of journalist Shalikram several months. Kantipur Media Group (KMG) December 10, 2019: Kathmandu
Pudasaini. The arrest came nine days after requests journalists to take unpaid leave but later Suman Chapagain, a journalist with the Nagarik
journalist Shalikram Pudasaini found dead after revokes the decision. Daily, is beaten by police during the reporting
posting a suicide video message blaming the of the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in
27 April, 2020: Chitwan
journalists for driving him to take his own life. Kathmandu. Chapagain was taking photos of
Police detained Binodbabu Rijal, the editor of
angry football fans when he was caught in the
September 16, 2019: Kathmandu Kayakairan Daily, and Arjun Adhikari, of Radio
clashes with police.
Nine NPU union leaders are detained for Triveni, for breach of Nepal’s lockdown. They
protesting against the arbitrary sacking of three are taken to the quarantine and their photos and December 12, 2019: Sunsari
journalists from Radio Nepal. Those arrested videos deleted. News 24 journalist Santosh Kafle is attacked on
were including Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, Ram the pretext of arriving late at a press conference
May 9, 2019: Kathmandu
Prasad Dahal, Janmadev Jaisi, Yam Birahi, Min by the press conference organizers. After
A Bill to Amend and Integrate the Media
Bam, Dilip Paudel, Chakra Kuwar, Yogendra sustaining injuries to his face, he is admitted to
Council Act is registered by the Ministry of
Balayar and Prakash Bam. hospital.
Communications and Information Technology
October 4, 2019: Kathmandu (F) with a provision of fine up to NPR 1 million December 22, 2019: Banke
Nepali journalist and union leader Ajaya Babu (USD 8,850) for publishing content in violation Journalist Sangeen is seriously injured in
Shiwakoti receives threats and is put under of the media code of ethics. Section 18 of the a physical assaulted by two unidentified
bill provides that publishers, editors and/or assailants.You can also read
